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    🏠Home » Recipes » Recipe Roundups

    Labor Day Recipe Roundup

    Sep 2, 2021 | Last Updated Sep 3, 2021 by Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan

    Well, that went fast, summer is over, and it is onto fall. Grilling season is almost over, and thoughts turn to crock pots, cooler nights, and leaves.

    Molly and Lilly dogs with bows wishing you happy Labor Day
    Table of Contents
    • FOOD SAFETY
    • The Classic BIG THREE of Grilling
    • Easier Grill Recipes
    • Grilling Side Dishes
    • Oven Recipes (if it rains)
    • Pie, Pie, Pie, and Kinda Pie
    • My Bad—A Labor Day Story
    • 💬 Comments
    Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

    Although it is "labor" day, none of us really want to work for our fun. I present for your consideration a few great simple ways to cap off the "traditional" summer season.

    If you get all the way to the end of this post, you will be rewarded with an enjoyable Labor Day story—do you have a Labor Day story?

    FOOD SAFETY

    Before we start, a few food safety reminders. So easy to forget. It is up to you to keep your friends and family safe. I see dangerous food handling on TV food shows and other blogs frequently. So know the rules. PLEASE.

    As a start, please review my Summer Food Safety post. Let’s be safe out there. No, Uncle Joe cannot have his burger rare even though you wouldn’t mind seeing him sick. It is your responsibility to keep them all safe.

    The Classic BIG THREE of Grilling

    The classic big three of grilling all with easy-to-follow photo tutorials.

    Smoked Pulled Pork on a Gas Grill – Not That Hard
    How to smoke pulled pork on a gas grill? Not all of us have smokers. There are a lot of gas grills out there. Shouldn't we have smoked pulled pork too? I say yes. Pulled pork for all, and with a little planning, it is not that hard. Just plan enough time.
    Check Out This Recipe
    Pulled Pork on a Gas Grill from 101 Cooking for Two
    How to Cook a Brisket on a Gas Grill
    Learn how easy it is to cook a brisket on your backyard gas grill with these easy to follow step by step photo instructions. You too can enjoy one of the Kings of BBQ at home.
    Check Out This Recipe
    Cooked brisket on a gray board
    How to Grill Baby Back Ribs on a Gas Grill
    The Holy Grail of ribs, smoked grilled baby back ribs, can be yours. It's not that hard. Do them low and slow like the smokers do but on your gas grill. The trick is in the grill set up. Once you get this down, it's easy.
    Check Out This Recipe
    grilled Baby Back Ribs on black cutting board

    Easier Grill Recipes

    It ain't over until it is over. Fire that grill up, and let's get started.

    How to Grill Filet Mignon on a Gas Grill
    Learn how to cook filet mignon on a grill. Grill your fillet to perfection with this simple technique in about 10 minutes. You can have the best steaks at your special dinner tonight.
    Check Out This Recipe
    Grilled filet mignon on a white plate
    How to Grill Strip Steak on a Gas Grill
    Learn to grill your New York strip steaks to perfection on your grill. The best juice and tender strip steaks are easy with this never-fail recipe that will serve you well for many years.
    Check Out This Recipe
    a strip steak with grill marks on a gray plate
    Grillied Chicken Drumsticks- The Art of Drummies
    Super easy, never fails, grilled chicken legs for the whole family. Just pat dry, spice and cook over medium-high heat. Then you will have crispy goodness for all.
    Check Out This Recipe
    drumsticks on the grill
    Grilled Whole Chicken on a Gas Grill
    The easiest way to grill a whole chicken is just tossed on the grill. A little butter and some seasoning and you're ready to cook. There is no real secret. As Thoreau said, "simplify, simplify."
    Check Out This Recipe
    Picture of a nicely done whole chicken on an gray plate
    How to Grill Hamburgers – A Tutorial
    Learn how easy it is to grill the best burgers on your gas or charcoal grill. From the choice of meat, seasoning, grill temperature, how long to grill, and final internal temperature—we will cover it all.
    Check Out This Recipe
    burger on a bun
    How to Grill Pork Chops
    Grilling perfect juicy pork chops on your gas grill in under 30 minutes is simple. Use boneless or bone-in chops, do an optional brine if you have time, and season to your taste, and you will have an easy healthy dinner for the whole family.
    Check Out This Recipe
    Close up picture of two grilled pork chops on orange plate
    How to Grill a Ribeye Steak on a Gas Grill
    Learn How to Grill a Ribeye Steak on a Gas Grill with these easy to follow step by step photo instructions for delicious results. You can be the grill master, too.
    Check Out This Recipe
    cut ribeye steak on white plate

    Grilling Side Dishes

    Grilled Baby Potatoes
    These delicious grilled baby potatoes are crispy and slightly charred. The perfect grilling side dish that is so simple and easy with no precooking, they will become a standard on your grill.
    Check Out This Recipe
    grilled baby potatoes going into a blue bowl
    Brown Sugar Cinnamon Glazed Grilled Pineapple
    Easy grilled pineapple with a great caramelized brown sugar cinnamon glaze. Wonderful for a side dish or combine with vanilla ice cream for an out of this world dessert.
    Check Out This Recipe
    close up of Grilled Pineacpple with grill marks on a blue plate
    Grilled Asparagus
    Easy grilled asparagus makes a great side dish for almost any meal. Just follow these simple step by step photo instructions for great results.
    Check Out This Recipe
    asparagus on a white plate with Parmansan
    Grilled Mixed Vegetables
    Nothing's better than roasted veggies unless they are grilled. Now you can do them on your grill while you cook your dinner. A delicious blend of mixed vegetables cooked on the grill!
    Check Out This Recipe
    Grilled Mixed Vegetables in a white bowl

    Oven Recipes (if it rains)

    Oven Pulled Pork - Low & Slow Pork Butt
    Cooking pork butt in an oven produces perfect tender and flavor-packed pulled pork. Cover with a simple dry rub, then roast low and slow in your oven. This easy recipe takes minimal preparation time and almost no skill.
    Check Out This Recipe
    pulled pork sandwich with BBQ sauce
    How to Bake Chicken Breasts in a Convection Oven
    The best way to bake chicken breasts is with your convection oven but you can cook in any oven. Your dinner will be ready in about 30 minutes and will be healthy, moist, and tender every time. Quick and easy with just a few easy secrets any home cook can master.
    Check Out This Recipe
    baked chicken breast on a white plate
    Pan Seared Oven Roasted Strip Steak
    Learn how to cook New York strip steaks in the oven like the best steakhouses. A little pan-searing on the stovetop, then cook in the oven to your taste. The best NY strip steaks are easy with these simple step-by-step photo instructions.
    Check Out This Recipe
    NY strip steak cut on an orange plate
    Pan Seared Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin
    Learn how to cook the best pork tenderloin. A short pan sear in cast iron on the stovetop, then finish cooking in the oven to perfection in less than 30 minutes. You get the best of all worlds, excellent browning with tasty and juicy meat. Plus, it's super easy—sounds like the perfect recipe.
    Check Out This Recipe

    Pie, Pie, Pie, and Kinda Pie

    Easy Fresh Strawberry Pie
    Fresh strawberry pie is a wonderful summer treat. A simple recipe everybody will love, made with Jello and a premade pie crust. Plus, almost any fool, including me, can pull this off. Make it your signature summer dish.
    Check Out This Recipe
    fresh trawberry pie slice on white plate
    Easy Blueberry Crumb Pie
    This simple blueberry crumb pie is made with a refrigerated crust. It will move pie from an occasional treat to an everyday family favorite dessert. Top with an easy crispy crumble topping to finish your simplified masterpiece.
    Check Out This Recipe
    image of Blueberry Pie on a white plate
    Easy Apple Crumb Pie
    Mix some apples, a pie crust, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and butter, and you get a great tasting basic apple crumb pie. Just follow these easy step by step photo instructions.
    Check Out This Recipe
    closeup of apple pie
    Easy Apple Crisp
    A couple of apples, five common pantry ingredients, and less than one hour will get you an old fashioned apple crisp that would make grandma proud. Super easy with almost no work.
    Check Out This Recipe
    apple crisp on a white plate

    My Bad—A Labor Day Story

    When I first started my private practice 40+ years ago, I started in mid-August, and the other pediatrician went on vacation (his first is over a year) a week later.

    I was left to see patients and to make all business decisions. It was the Friday before Labor Day, and I was saying good night to the employees and told them I would see them on Monday. A huge scream went up.

    Them: "No, Tuesday"

    Me: "Monday"

    Them: (very loudly) "Tuesday, Monday is Labor Day."

    Me: "So"

    Them: "It's a holiday."

    Me: "No"

    Them: "YES"

    Me: "A real holiday????  I thought it was like Ground Hog Day or Columbus Day."

    Them: "See you TUESDAY," they all shook their heads as they walked out snickering.

    Me: "hmmm, ok."

    In my defense, I have just come out of years of medical training, working 80 to 100 hours per week. There were two holidays only, Fourth of July and Christmas, and you got one of them off. All the rest of the days were equal, meaning they were nothing special, and you worked.

    My bad, I guess.

    I put that in just to see if anybody got this far. And it is totally true. Even the wording is correct. Who else has a Labor Day story?

    Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

    So relax and enjoy yourself. Grill a hot dog and have some ice cream. Enjoy your family and reflect on the last few years. Be kind to all and be filled with grace.

    Wifo, Molly, Lilly, and DrDan

    photo of Dogs at Work with molly and Lilly
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    Originally Published August 31, 2014. This post is reused yearly but is edited and updated yearly. Some comments may be from previous years.

    « Small Crock Pot Chicken Stew
    How To Set Up Your Gas Grill for Smoking and Low and Slow Cooking »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Janet Gatlin

      September 07, 2020 at 9:22 am

      Happy Labor Day, Dr Dan! Love getting your emails!!
      PS. Glad you let your employees off that first Labor Day 😉

      Reply
    2. Gloria Bates

      September 07, 2020 at 8:56 am

      Have a wonderful and safe Labor Day! I always look forward to your emails, and especially love the doggie pictures :)

      Reply
    3. Fran

      September 06, 2020 at 3:40 pm

      You are such a delight to deal with.....to read your recipes and comments....to see the pix of your precious pets. Many of the recipes are great for me and my husband, but I just enjoy you whether or not the recipe is up our alley. Keep up the good work....you are a bright spot in this world. Here's wishing you and your loved ones --- pets definitely included -- a wonderful and tasty Labor Day! Take care....stay healthy.

      Reply
    4. Jean

      September 01, 2018 at 4:55 pm

      Your the greatest. Please take very good care of yourself you mean a lot to us.
      Happy Labor Day!
      Jean

      Reply
    5. Beverly Barndt

      September 01, 2018 at 11:15 am

      A Happy Labor Day to you also as well! and your little dogs too!

      Reply
    6. Janice

      September 04, 2014 at 5:31 am

      I appreciate all you go through to keep this blog for us!

      Reply
    7. Deborah Zuniga

      September 01, 2014 at 3:21 pm

      Enjoy your recipes and doggie updates! Please notify when new ones post. Thanks!

      Deborah Zuniga / Round Rock, Texas

      Reply

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